Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

[man-in-moon]

The gold top I just got is about as perfect as I could ask for. But I was wondering how people deal with the weight? I have bad shoulders and haven't had a guitar this heavy in years. I use a mono Betty strap which helps some. But after about 15 minutes I have to stop for a little while. My left shoulder is so inflamed and swelled. that I can't lift my arm past shoulder level.
For reference it weighs in right at 10 pounds.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Sit down.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Does the shoulder usually do that if aggravated???

As a sports type person, any injury that only allowed me 15 mins of activity leading to swelling so bad the joint was severely compromised would be cause for seeking medical help and time off. That is a pretty quick reaction.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

My semi-hollow is pretty heavy... never weighed it, but if I'm playing it at a gig I'll only use it for two of the four sets (1 & 3 or 2 & 4... so I get a break). Otherwise my shoulders are killing me! It used to be worse, but I bought a wide leather strap (3") with a nice, thick wool pad at the shoulders and that helped immensely for my comfort level. I'm kind of in the same place as you... absolutely love everything about the guitar, but can only play it for so long. Seriously, the strap made a huge difference for me.

 

[GuitarGuy503]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Maybe a wider strap would help?

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

A very wide suede strap, no padding or anything like that. I had a monster strap that helped me immensely when I used to play a Squier five-string bass that weighed as much as a train.

 

[TRex]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

My my basic knowledge of physics says a wider strap will spread the weight out. I bet this will only help if it feels like it's digging into you though. If it's purely a weight problem, idk what you can do.

The best thing to do though is to sit down, or get a lighter axe to use on stage.

As a man with shoulder problems and a love for heavy guitars, I know the feeling. :/ Keep it iced and healthy as best you can.

Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk

 

[YeRedHouseOverYonder]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Yikes. I would ice your shoulder at a minimum. Do you have shoulder impingement or bursitis? In any case, you should look into PT as an option in the future. I would definitely sit down if I was you. Best of luck.


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[man-in-moon]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

I may try other straps I bought this one because they said it would help. It does seem to help some. It's 3"and has a thin layer of memory foam in it. I have bursitis in it real bad. It has gotten worse after I was in a wreck with a friend about 10 years ago. I got threw shoulder first into the dash. Sometimes when it get real inflamed it will pop out and I have to pop it back in. Hurts like hell but after 50-60 times I have a system lol.
I try to sit down and play as much as possible. But it's more comfortable to keep my arm and shoulder stretched out more. I have had tests upon tests ran over the years but they can't find anything else wrong. I have it in my hands as well I had to switch from 50's necks to slimmer ones. I've been sitting here with ice packs on it for about 2 hours it's finally easing some.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Get the widest possible fabric or leather strap you can find.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

I hate to say this, but you picked the wrong guitar if you have bad shoulders...Pauls are heavy, period. I guess either learn to live with it, or another switcheroo.Did you see Securbs Les Paul Lite?-of course they ain't gonna sound like a Standard.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

The only other thing I can think of is a more harness type arrangement.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

The only other thing I can think of is a more harness type arrangement.

When I was an indentured servant at a vet clinic in Mountain View Ca, the Doctor would hit me as hard as he could on the shouder blade with a pair of inverted foreceps, and he knew exactly where to hit-maybe not exactly, that might have made all the difference. It did fracture the joint cause thankfully he only hit me on my right shoulder, but I guess it healed pretty well..I do have probelms with it still, but nothing debilitating mostly( I wished he'd try that now).

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

None of my Pauls weigh over 9.2 lbs. I use wide soft leather straps from either Franklin or padded Levy's Leathers straps. Three inch wide is optimum, but some of mine are 2.5". I must admit that a G&L Legacy is my Number One, and I'm typically only using a 2HB Paul or 335 for about fifteen songs during a four-hour gig.

I had an auto accident at age 30 and hurt my upper back. I still have some problems with it if I'm not careful. Probably have some arthritic changes. I absolutely would NEVER use the neck strap Maniac posted--that would probably put me in the hospital.

Years ago, Fender used to offer a hip strap. A wide belt designed for bassists, it fit around your waist and put the weight of the instrument on your hips. A women I used to know used one for her P-Bass and loved it. Saved her back. Might want to see if there is a blueprint for one out there on the web.

But the absolute BEST thing you can do is to get yourself into good physical condition and strengthen your upper back, shoulders and neck AND also your lower back. I'm 66 and have the body of a 99 y.o. couch potato, but I am trying to get in better physical condition, so I can handle four sets on my feet and not be crippled from moving my Mesa amps and the PA.

Good luck!

Bill

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

The Slider

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/slider-straps-dual-shoulder-strap

 

[rufus]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Wide thick strap as mentioned, if you sit down to play try a foot stand like classical players use. I find it helps to play as relaxed as possible.
Dont hang your guitar at your knees, that also helps.

 

[Securb]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Did you see Securbs Les Paul Lite?-of course they ain't gonna sound like a Standard.

It sounds just like my Traditional it is much more in the Les Paul tone range than an SG or anything else. I didn't have to change my EQ or settings at all plugging that guitar into my rig.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

I'd leave it at the store.
I know, I know...but the best guitar in the world to me won't work if it is too heavy. I simply son't be motivated to play it.

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Thanks guys I am going today to try some wider better straps. Maybe one of them will work out. I told my wife it was her fault lol. I went to the store to look at 4 guitars in the first place. A Pelham blue firebird, sg standard and 2 prs S2 models. When I got there both of the prs were sold. While I was trying the sg and firebird she came over with the gold top smiling. And wanted me to try it she knew I always wanted one and said since I had to sell my lp some years back because of medical stuff.
That I should get it since she doesn't play she doesn't really understand about the weight. That's the main reason I am trying so hard to get it to work. It sounds and plays good but so did both of the others.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

if it causes you pain then only play it sitting down, a good wide padded strap may help but only so much. billy gibbons is a pretty frail guy to the point that he has had some of his guitars hollowed out as much as possible, including the neck, to get them super light. might be a little extreme but the idea is that if the guitar causes you to be uncomfortable then maybe a different guitar would better suit